First family hub opens
THE first Family Hub in Leicestershire has been officially opened.
The Coalville venue, where parents and carers can access support and advice, is the first in a series of more than 20 family hubs to be created.
Families with children aged up to 19, or 25 for young people with special educational needs or disabilities, can receive information on issues including health, relationships, education, employment, finance and housing.
Loughborough’s Family Hub is set to open on Thursday, followed by Melton and Hinckley later in the month and Market Harborough and Wigston Magna in August.
Councillor Deborah Taylor, county council cabinet member for children and families, said: “It’s exciting to see our first Family Hub open and up and running.
“Our growing network of family hubs mark an important milestone in our commitment to our supporting families and strengthening our communities in Leicestershire.
“We recognise the challenges parents and carers face on a daily basis and it is vital that we provide readily accessible support networks.”
Leicestershire was one of 12 local authorities to win a slice of a £12 million pot to transform the way services are delivered for families. As well as creating the hubs, there are plans to carry out outreach work and create a website containing helpful information and advice.
The idea is that parents and carers can easily receive support right from
conception, helping them to navigate parenting through the early years, right into adulthood.
The full network of hubs, which will make use of existing spaces, is expected to be fully open by next spring.